First night safari by Noida Development Authority

New Delhi: India could soon have its first night safari as efforts are underway to build a ‘zoo by night´ on the outskirts of the national capital.

Thinking big and out of the box, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has an ambitious plan to develop a night safari tourism project on the lines of the Singapore night zoo.

The project is proposed to be built over 102 acres of land near Mursheedpur Reserve Forest on the Taj Express Highway, a GNIDA official told PTI.

A detailed plan in this regard has already been submitted to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for clearance.

At present, such zoo by nights are operated at Singapore, China and Thailand, and are a major contributor to their tourism industry.

“We have received the proposal and would make a visit next month at the designated location to study the feasibility of the project,” B R Sharma, member secretary, CZA, said.

He said that depending on the habitat and project cost, the authority would be advised on the surroundings and the animals they can keep there once it gets the green signal.

“Being the first night safari in the country, every nitty gritty will be minutely taken care of such as suitability and habitat for the likely rare species, environment and its compatibility with the surroundings,” Sharma said.